Multiple concussions end David Piland's playing career

By Joseph Duarte |
October 8, 2013
| Updated: October 8, 2013 10:56pm

Due to head injuries, David Piland will end his playing career. ( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle

Houston Cougars quarterback David Piland (8) watches his team meet on the sideline as he watched teammate Houston Cougars quarterback John O'Korn (5) took the lead at quarterback as the University of Houston Cougars defeated the Temple Owls 22-13 in their first American Athletic Conference game at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, in Philadelphia.

Photo By Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle

Houston Cougars quarterback David Piland (8) makes a pass in the first quarter as the University of Houston Cougars played the Temple Owls in their first American Athletic Conference game at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, in Philadelphia.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Staff

UH quarterback David Piland scrambles for a first down before being brought down by Southern linebacker Daniel Brown during the Cougars' 62-13 victory Friday night.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Staff

David Piland seeks to retain his job in the quarterback battle that will end early next week.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Staff

Quarterback David Piland and the Cougars hope to forge more good memories of Reliant Stadium after beating Rice there in 2012. In 2013, UH again will play Rice at Reliant in the Bayou Bucket game and also will play four home games there while the school's new on-campus stadium is being constructed.

4/12/13: Quarterback David Piland #8 scrambles and then rushes for a gain in the UH Spring game at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas.

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Staff

Two-year starter David Piland (8) is one of five quarterbacks going through spring drills at Houston.

Photo By Scott Davis/Associated Press

Houston's David Piland (8) passes against East Carolina during their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Greenville, N.C. East Carolina won 48-28. (AP Photo/The Daily Reflector, Scott Davis)

Photo By Eric Christian Smith/For the Chronicle

University of Houston quarterback David Piland (8) looks to the sidelines during the first half of a college football game against the University of Tulsa, Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, TX.

Photo By Eric Christian Smith/For the Chronicle

University of Houston quarterback David Piland (8) throws a pass during the first half of a college football game against the University of Tulsa, Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, TX.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Southern Methodist linebacker Taylor Reed (44) stands over Houston quarterback David Piland (8) after his late hit knocked Piland out of the game during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game at Ford Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Dallas. Reed was flagged for a personal foul penalty on the play, which was declined in favor of a defensive pass interference call.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Southern Methodist linebacker Taylor Reed (44) runs into the end zone for a score after intercepting a pass by Houston quarterback David Piland (8) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game at Ford Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Dallas.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland (8) is checked out on the bench after being knocked out of the game by a late hit from Southern Methodist linebacker Taylor Reed (44) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game at Ford Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Dallas.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland (8) is slow to get up after being knocked out of the game by a late hit from Southern Methodist linebacker Taylor Reed (44) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game at Ford Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Dallas.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland (8) had his helmet knocked off as he is dropped for a loss by Southern Methodist linebacker Ja'Gared Davis (56) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game at Ford Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Dallas.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland walks off the field after warming up before a college football game at again UAB Robertson Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, in Houston.

Photo By Mark J. Terrill

Houston quarterback David Piland passes during the first half of their NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Associated Press

Houston's David Piland, right, looks to complete a pass as his offensive lineman Ty Cloud, center, protects him from North Texas defensive end K.C. Obi during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Texas, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Nick de la Torre)

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle

University of Houston quarterback David Piland scrambles to make a throw to an open receiver during the first quarter of a NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Houston.

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Associated Press

Houston running back Charles Sims, left, celebrates his touchdown run with quarterback David Piland during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Texas, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Nick de la Torre)

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Associated Press

Houston quarterback David Piland gives high-fives to the student section as he leaves the field after defeating North Texas 44-21 in an NCAA college football game against North Texas, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Nick de la Torre)

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland celebrates with fans after the Cougars defeated crosstown rival Rice in a college football game at Reliant Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in Houston.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland (8) throws a pass over Rice linebacker Michael Kutzler (42) during the second half of the annual Bayou Bucket college football game at Reliant Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in Houston. Houston won the game 35-14.

Photo By Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Defensive Cassius Marsh #99 of the UCLA Bruins sacks quarterback David Piland #8 of the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 15, 2012 in Pasadena, California.

Photo By Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Houston quarterback David Piland signals toward wide receiver Ronnie Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Photo By Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Houston quarterback David Piland passes during the first half of their NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Photo By Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland (8) throws a pass over Texas State defensive lineman Kamu Taulelei (98) during the first quarter in an NCAA football game at Robertson Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, in Houston.

Photo By Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland (8) is pressured by Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Justin Ellis (70) as he throws a pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game at Robertson Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in Houston. Louisiana Tech beat Houston 56-49.

Photo By Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Texas State linebacker Brian Lilly (34) sacks Houston quarterback David Piland (8) during the fourth quarter in an NCAA football game at Robertson Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, in Houston. Texas State beat Houston 30-13.

4/13/2012 : Quaterback David Piland #8 of the red team on the sidelines before playing against the white team in the UH spring football game at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas.The red team won 42 to 28. For the Chronicle: Thomas B. Shea

Photo By Thomas B. Shea/For the Chronicle

4/13/2012 : Quaterback David Piland #8 of the red team in the pocket against the white team in the UH spring football game at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas. The red team won 42 to 28.For the Chronicle: Thomas B. Shea

Houston Cougars quarterback David Piland (8) scrambles for a first down as to set up a field goal to give the Cougars a 31-27 lead the during fourth quarter action Rice Owls cornerback Kevin Gaddis (7) makes the stop in an NCAA football game at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Houston. Rice won the game 34-31. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

The Cougars suffered a down season last year when injuries to their top two quarterbacks forced them to turn to freshman David Piland.

Photo By Eric Kayne/For the Houston Chronicle

QB David Piland (8) passes the ball during a UH football team scrimmage during an open practice, March 26, 2011, Houston, TX. The schedule for the teams' upcoming games has not been finalized yet. (Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle

University of Houston team chaplain Mikado Hinson talks to a sad quarterback David Piland (8), who threw five interceptions after a NCAA football game against University of Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, in Robertson Stadium in Houston. University of Tulsa won 28-25.

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle

University of Houston quarterback David Piland (8) scrambles for extra yards in the first quarter of a NCAA football game against University of Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, in Robertson Stadium in Houston.

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Chronicle

Houston quarterback David Piland watches the ball sail after trying to complete a throw.

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle

University of Houston quarterback David Piland (8), who threw five interceptions walks off the field after loosing to University of Tulsa 25-28 Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, in Robertson Stadium in Houston.

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle

University of Houston co-offesive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, left, gives instructions to freshman quarterback David Piland in the second quarter of a NCAA football game against Central Florida Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, in Robertson Stadium in Houston.

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Chronicle

UH quarterback David Piland’s fifth career start will come against a defense that is limiting opponents to 4.4 yards per play.

Photo By Nick de la Torre/Chronicle

UH freshman quarterback David Piland (8) will make his third consecutive start today against SMU.

University of Houston quarterback David Piland is ending his football career after suffering multiple concussions, the school announced Tuesday.

"It was not easy to hear that I can no longer play the game that I love, but I know that our medical staff has my best interests in mind," Piland said in a statement.

Piland, a junior who was the Cougars' starter for most of two seasons, had not played since leaving the Sept. 7 game against Temple in the first quarter with a head injury.

It's not clear how many concussions Piland has suffered, but he's had at least two in the past year, "enough to where our medical staff knows for his future and well-being he can no longer play," UH coach Tony Levine said.

Health is top priority

Levine said Piland was examined by "multiple experts" and went through an extensive concussion management plan during the past month.

After meeting with the school's medical staff and Levine, Piland made his decision Sunday.Piland was not available for further comment.

"When you are talking about (concussions), it's something we take extremely serious," Levine said. "We're going to take our time and do our due diligence and make sure we have the student-athlete's health as our top priority."

Levine said Piland is no longer experiencing concussion symptoms and has returned to class and is attending team meetings and practices.

"He feels great," Levine said. "His health right now is outstanding. It's deceiving in that he feels he can play, wants to play."

In the meantime, Piland will remain "a major part of our program," Levine said, and he will assist in practice and travel with the team for road games. Piland is taking one class in the fall semester and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in business administration in December.

"We are going to support him in every way possible," Levine said.

In 20 career starts, Piland finishes his career ranked seventh at UH in passing yards (5,790), completions (478), pass attempts (833), touchdown passes (41) and total offense (6,039 yards).His best season came in 2010, when he was forced into action as a true freshman after Case Keenum suffered a season-ending knee injury and backup Cotton Turner was lost for the year with a shoulder injury.

Accomplishing a dream

In 10 starts last season, Piland threw for 2,929 yards with 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He led Conference USA in passing yards per game (316.5), was second in total offense and ranked third in passing efficiency. Against Louisiana Tech, Piland set an NCAA single-game record with 77 pass attempts without an interception.

Piland, who beat out four other quarterbacks for the starting job, played in two games this season. True freshman John O'Korn will make his third consecutive start Saturday when UH plays Memphis at BBVA Compass Stadium.

"One of my lifelong dreams and goals has been to play quarterback at the collegiate level, and thanks to the University of Houston, I've been able to accomplish one of my dreams and meet one of my goals," Piland said in the statement.